Finally! We made it there for our 19th anniversary (every year we make a point of going to a fine dining restaurant that we've never eaten at before, which is why we never made it to Hen of the Wood before, I was saving it for an anniversary
last night.
We were early but since it was 5, there was no problem getting seated right away. There was a little wait as a few other tables were being settled before us, but I wasn't in a hurry. The staff made a point of speaking to us to say "it'll just be a moment longer." I thought that was nice.
The ambiance was lovely. Our seat gave us a lovely view of the stone around where the river rushes past the restaurant and the patio, which must be absolutely glorious on a summer night. Lighting was low, and it felt very romantic.
We were greeted with sparkling wine at our table, and a happy anniversary wish. Very very nice. Also, the chef sent over some Red Hen toast/crostini with bleu cheese (a bit melty) and drizzled with honey, with his compliments. It was delightful. I normally don't care for bleu cheese but this was grand. He told us which it was but I don't remember now. The cheese list they have is dazzling and a bit intimidating. I wished we'd had more room for cheese as a starter but I knew we wouldn't so we didn't get any. Instead we had the special starter for the evening, crispy fried poussin liver with tomato marmalade and mustard creme fraiche. The livers were delightful and surprisingly light, with a delicate liver flavour, not at all intense. The tomato marmalade was a little too sweet in combination with the liver for my husband, but I enjoyed it, so I had bits with it on and I gave him bits that didn't have it. The mustard creme fraiche went very well, too.
My husband ordered the hangar steak with tarragon aioli and red wine sauce that was served with "crispy" fingerling potatoes (they weren't crispy, but he said they were good anyway). He loved the sauce and aioli. He'd asked for his steak medium but it was rare when it arrived (not bloody, but very red all the way to the edges). I suggested we send it back but he decided not to after he'd tasted it. It was tender and delicious, despite it not being quite how he was expecting it. I had a bite and was in heaven (I LOVE rare
.
I ordered the braised rabbit with mashed sweet potatoes and braised cabbage. It was only a bit gamey, which was good, and even my husband (who generally doesn't care for game meats) declared it yummy.
The sweet potatoes and cabbage (which was red, and possibly had beet juice in it? I'm not sure, slightly sweet but everything was so delicious I forgot to try and identify individual components
were wonderful, and complemented the rabbit. I had two (or would it be three?) pieces of rabbit, a whole hind quarter and a long strip of what looked like loin. I was unable to finish my vegetables but the rabbit made it all down.
We were both pretty full but we splurged on a truffle torte with vanilla ice cream and hazelnut praline. Oh... my... god. I ate too much and made myself uncomfortable because it was so good.
Our waiter, Scott, was attentive and easily answered every question I had about the menu without having to ask anyone anything. He was able to intelligently discuss the cheeses and their various qualities (as was another staff member at another table whom I over heard discussing the cheese with a patron). He was very pleasant without hovering. The bus staff were unobtrusive and asked before clearing every time. They were aware enough to leave me the butter with my roll that I hadn't finished yet when they were clearing the rest of the appetizer dishes.
From start to finish this dining experience was everything I'd hoped it would be based on the expectations built up by reviews here.
I was thoroughly delighted, and will make a point of returning.
